Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-11-17

When Sheriff Matson came out, he
stated that all the condemned had writ
ten letters to the members of their fami-
lies and other friends, which had been in
trusted to him for personal delivery. At
ten o'clock Deputy Sheriff Gleason hur-
riedly entered the office with a letter
which he passed to Spies. The super
scription was in feminine hand. He
read it without movement of his facial
muscles. All this time none but represent
atives of the press had been admitted to
the Jail office. The tickets of admission
notified the holders to present themselves
at the Illinois street entrance at ten
O'Clock, but in order that the reporters
and there were near hundred
of them-should not be crowded, it
was decided to keep the holders of the
general tickets in the jail-yard until the
moment for the execution arrived. The
arrangement was an admirable one for
the newspaper men, who at previous exc
cutions in this building have been COM
peeled to perform their duties und er great
difficulties. 1t was not relished, howev er,
by the other visitors, who stood and shiv-
cred in the cold air and stamped their
feet to keep the blood in circulation.
Fischer was talking with his death
watch. He said last night he dreamed of
Germany and his happy childhood's home.
Just then loud noise was heard. 1t was
a deputy testing the scaffold with sand
bags. Engel came to the door of his cell.
He knew what the sound meant, and
winked at his death watch.
Rev. DR.. Bolton, at 1918 O'Clock, again
visited one after another of the cells, but
from none of the condemned did he re-
ceive encouragement.
Deputy-Sheriff Gleason called Captain
Bonfield aside and asked him anxiously
about the crowds on the outside and the
probability of trouble. The Captain re-
piled that all was quiet, and that the po-
lice were fully able to cope with any dis.
turbance. He pointed to the roof of the
Jail, which was literally studded with
officers armed with repeating rifles.
At I:10 a. m. the jury fell in and took
their places in the double row of chairs
which have been reserved in front of the
press tables. The spectators, of whom
there are less than two hundred, are adj
| mitted to the rear. Altogether the cor
ridor is not half filed. The cells on the
| first floor, as well as those on the two
! upper tiers, have been emptied of their
occupants. The gathering is quiet and
decorous. Hats have been removed and
| cigars thrown away. There is none of the
| crowding, pushing, smoking, swearing
mob that disgraced the execution of the
| Italians two years ago.
| Through the high-barred panes of glas:
| directly back of the scaffold a score o.
| armed men are visible. They are as mo-
| tionless as statues, their guns at theil
shoulders, and the muzzles bear directly
| on the gallows window.
The moments pass on. A report gain.
currency that the sheriff is holding off un
| til the last moment, in expectation thai
something will be heard from Springfield
Suddenly the face Of Deputy Gleason wa:
| seen at the entrance of the corridor lead
| ing to the scaffold. His face is white. He i:
trembling in every limb. He raises
| his finger. The moment has come
| The shuff1ing of feet is heard in the cor
ridor. 1t is 11:40 a. m. to the minute
Sheriff Matson appears-his back to the
gathering. He is facing the procession
| Spies comes into view; broad-shouldoreG
bailiff is on his right. Next come!
| Fischer, then Engel. All three step from
| the second tier of cells to the scaffold
| The spectators draw a long breath.
parsons is saved" is the word thai
| goes around, but it is not to be. A seconG
| later and Parsons appears. The four mer
| are placed upon the trap. All are ghostly
pale. Spies hair seems to literally stant
up on end. Engel's shoulders seem nearly
to touch the top Of his head. Parsons set
his teeth firmly together and looks down
calmly upon the crowd beneath. His fac
| is the face of a man of iron. A murmu
of admiration for his unfinching nerv
goes through the spectators. Engel turn
around and says something inaudible t.
the deputy. It is evidently of jocula'
character. for the condemned man laugh